How to Play Guitar on Mr Bojangles by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

[@briankinkaid2471]

I've been lucky enough to see the Dirt Band 6 times (5 times before Jimmy left) and I've always loved them and this song. Thanks for sharing!

[@markfoster2500]

This is a great song and I don’t think it matters who plays it!!!

[@amusicalheart7]

Love Jimmy’s singing and songs and now I like him even more. He really is as nice a person as I’ve heard he was. I agree wholeheartedly with Jimmy about Linda’s voice. I absolutely loved her singing voice.

[@richardfromcornwall5492]

What a brilliant video. The story attached to it adds some flavour. I truly love this song!

[@jennyc9360]

Jimmy Ibbotson added spark and his unique voice to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with fine musicians Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden, Bob Carpenter and John McEuen. Ibbotson is a very kind and intelligent person. Hi Jimmy from Jenny in Madison, Wisconsin.

[@hereintherealworld...9433]

Love ya Jimmy ! I was living out in Fernwood Idaho, a single parent with two kids and dating a school teacher from Saint Maries and she loved to hear me sing and play Fishing in the dark, Mr. Bojangles, and the circle won't be broken. So when you guys came out to play at the race track in Post falls or in Spokane, I forget for sure, but she bought 2 tickets and we were on our way. On the way there we were listening to the radio and it announced that Stevie Ray Vaughn had died in a Helicopter crash. I had been studying his guitar playing for a few years and was so into his music that when we got to your concert I was hurting inside so bad that couldn't believe it, I remember he had just turned his live around just a little while before that and was off Drugs and alcohol. I still wonder if God didn't snatch him up while he was clean. Sad night, I have always wondered if you guys had heard about it before you went onstage. You guys invited everyone to come up after the concert and you would sign autographs and My girl went up and got to talk to you guys but I remember sitting on the bleachers and just bummed as can be, so I never did get to meet you but I have always loved your personalities and your wonderful music and still play alot of your songs, One of my favorite ones which is sure a sign of the times that everyone loves to hear is "Leon MacDuff". I love that line "And his eyes were narrow beneath the brim of his hat" who thought up that line ?

[@richardwingate6150]

Mr Bojangles has so much meaning to it

[@robertlee8042]

Went to PV with him. He played sax or French horn in elementary school. Can’t remember which but he was so good they put him on stage in the auditorium once and had him play solo. He had a mature vibrato.

[@herbhoover8190]

I had the Great Pleasure of seeing the NGDB in a Parking Lot in Midland, Tx in 1986. My friends and I had already worn out several Albums of the NGDB but we really loved Twenty Years of Dirt. It is still one of our favorites. Thanks for the stories, the lesson and all the Great music (that we still play, daily).

[@kellenralph5615]

I guess Im asking the wrong place but does anybody know of a way to get back into an Instagram account? I stupidly lost the account password. I would appreciate any help you can give me!

[@theodorecoen2793]

@Kellen Ralph Instablaster =)

[@kellenralph5615]

@Theodore Coen thanks for your reply. I found the site on google and I'm in the hacking process atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@kellenralph5615]

@Theodore Coen it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my account :D

[@theodorecoen2793]

@Kellen Ralph You are welcome xD

[@4001bassAZ]

The NGDB was always a fabulous band, but they were never better than when Ibby was a part of it. I knew him before he was famous. I'll never forget how proud I was of him when I got home from the Vietnam War and saw him on TV (Joey Bishop Show?) performing Bojangles and House on Pooh Corner with the band. Catching them live numerous times in later years was even better. My brother sent me this link, now 14 years since its creation. Wow!

[@dennisfraney7896]

Thank you, Jimmy, what a treat. The story, the capo, the key of F, and the lick. God Bless, and BTW, your voice still rocks. 🙂

[@peecmkr45]

It's amazing to hear and see how the professional performers and creators play these songs. This is recording history and knowledge that may be lost otherwise..

[@iVideosongs]

Thank you. You definitely get "it." Wish we could do thousands of these videos. There are many, many who care. It is not like we can go back in time and see a video of Mozart playing his own compositions...

[@rustinhamilton2772]

@@iVideosongs I concur. Love the band and felt like I uncovered some treasure that you left for us when I found this interview.

[@jaspergrey108]

I love this video. Its just not the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band without Jimmy.

[@angelaschouten1747]

Thank you for sharing your music! Love this song so much and your voice is great!

[@geoffrobinson7293]

Very cool to hear Jimmy's history of the song.... plus it is fun to hear him explain how he plays it. It is a simple song, but hard to beat the timing, heart and soul. This brings back memories of the bar in Basalt years ago when we were all younger.

[@dixiedoo5876]

Wow, this is great! I love the stories behind the music! I was raised up with the NGDB. I have such fond memories with their tunes playing in the background.

[@robertpohl-mi1ke]

Hands down; one of, if not the best, "how-to-play" videos on KZbin!

[@larrycave6351]

When you say you think you found a way to put what was in your heart into your hands, I know you have succeeded. I came to the computer to learn this song because I had just heard it on the radio again after a long time, and it still brings tears to my eyes and a catch to my breath. Good Job! Plus, you did a great job on this video weaving the different stories together. I enjoyed it very much. Thanks.

[@raktimparashar]

This is so great to hear you and play. I would Like to tell you I am an Indian, well not an American Indian but India. This song touched me like no other music ever when I was a kid. Probably its that great story telling I guess .NGDB is my favourite Folk/country band of all time.Thank you for the share

[@vincentgrippi9524]

Wish my thumb could wrap like that , I’ll” just have to keep going the hard way , but love watching the masters like yourself

[@skiphardin7259]

Oh Wow, thanks, one of the coolest background videos I've ever seen. So much history and info shared there. My favorite verse of "Circle" is the added verse "We all sang songs of childhood...." I never knew the story of how NGDB came to add that verse to the song. But I've always thought it was a great add and completes the song. So cool to hear Jimmy Ibbotson talk about how he came to write that verse and add it to Will The Circle Be Unbroken. And he mentions Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. One of Emmylou's singers was Fayssoux McLean who still sings and plays here in South Carolina and her voice is heavenly. Thanks again. just wonderful stuff. may the circle remain unbroken

[@PlasticKelly]

A wonderful video and performance Jimmy. Thanks for this!

[@nelsonthomas8362]

Hey Jimmy. A lot of us old folks still miss you in the band.

[@BlessYourThoughts]

The comment of "nice guy" is true of Nitty Gritty. Les, Grolsch beer and Toasted Cheese for lunch got me through a tough patch. Don't know where else to post this... So here's to saying : Thanks Les.

[@jeeperscreatures]

Mr, Bo Jangles just might be my all time favorite song...There`s just something about it.

[@jimshepard8822]

It’s melancholy, and the words tell the story, a visual, so well.

[@tomjonas7384]

Thanks for sharing that was a heartfelt story I did play the accordion but I can’t anymore because of my bad back so I’d like to buy acoustic guitar and try to learn to play it I already know chords and notes and I’d love to play mr. Bojangles on the guitar And other songs

[@RC0307]

I wish Ibby would write an autobiography. Enjoyed John’s book and I’m sure Jimmy has lots of stories to tell! ❤ 🙏🏼 🥰

[@MikeFerguson-yq2jh]

Always miss you since you retired,saw you with your bandmates on pbs great show

[@johnnybumpous9108]

thank you sir for sharing your story and this awesome tune.. love it !!

[@mikeguerrero72]

I saw The Nitty-gritty Dirt Band in Monroe LA. and band members changed instruments several times. They were so good.

[@Jeff-io2zn]

My favorite song is working man. It really rips at your heart and soul.

[@robrichmond6171]

You are the best Jimmy....been wondering how you are doing!

[@marbo6429]

hahaha awesome intro! Been listening to this ever since I got out of prison 9 years ago Shared a few cells with a couple of Bojangles ♥ the song it resonates with me

[@mma1st105]

I got out 11 years ago and I'm living the good life now. Two kids and a beautiful woman. We struggle sometimes but I never thought my life would have a happy ending or much happiness at all. Life can be so good. Sorry for going off like that but you struck a chord with me.

[@marbo6429]

@@mma1st105 Good to hear mate...we kinda break the mold by not going in and out like a revolving door like most people do

[@dyerarch]

Jimmy, This is GREAT!!!

[@hindubodhkongpala]

That's true, Jimmie. I forgot to remember that. In your living room. You did it. I did not know about it. Then it was all the easy silent sight forever thereafter.

[@sonnyporemba1962]

Man…Love this…God Bless You❤

[@ulyssesparado2743]

Love to master this song Jim! a legendary tale-song!

[@rdekemper]

Saw Nitty Gritty at Arkansas Tech U small venue with Steve Martin opening act magical night.......1974.... Will the Circle be Unbroken, I & II are historic documentaries......treasures of Americana culture.......🎸

[@MacQ1955]

Went to one NGDB concert after Jimmy left the Dirt Band. Nope, they weren't the Dirt Band I had grown to love. I had a band that played many of the Dirt Band's tunes. Would love to play with Jimmy.

[@markfoster2500]

This story is as real as you can make it!!!

[@johnnybumpous9108]

really enjoyed the story , and thanks for sharing the song..

[@resolvingconcerns]

Hey Jimmy! Miss your music. I have some nice pix from MerleFest when you and John played side stage (you played a couple of my requests that afternoon). I play a handful of your songs.

[@sethother8012]

MY VERSON: I was watching other videos on how to play this on youtube even though I was already pretty much playing it by ear already, but wanted to be clear on some of the intricacies of the sharps/flats at the "he jumped so high" part. Anyways, I heard a bunch of other videos giving lessons on versions that sounded crappier than how I was already playing it. Seems like everyone has their own take on this song, and a lot of em on youtube are just sub-par. Anyways, I kept searching until this video started, and I went, "Ah. Here we go." Finally, something that actually sounded like the song. "Well, I'll be....an actual lesson from one of the band members. No wonder it sounds right." Listened to a good part of his story before getting to the lesson, which was cool too, because this song has so much truth and real life packed into it, that you can always pack in more emotion, but then he says he plays it with a capo on the 3rd fret as an A-Chord formation which is actually in the key of F, and that back in their younger days when they cut the track, they did it in G, but he's an old man now, and his head would explode if he tried that. Well, being that I'm still wet behind the ears at 47, and not one to back out of a challenge, and preferring to stay close to the studio version, I just end up playing the song the same way I was doing it before I watched this which was in the key of G. Except for one thing. I don't like to use capos, because you never know when you are going to be near a guitar, and I wouldn't want to not be able to play a song because there is no capo around, so I just start the song out with a G chord, walking down the sixth string from G to F# to E while finger picking the bottom strings of the G chord, then switching my hand position to where I am picking the D note of the fifth string while still finger picking the bottom notes of the G chord, albeit longer notes before switching to the C chord position and finger picking those notes. Then ending the measure by fingerpicking the D chord. So after all that disappointment of finding that everyone has their own version of this song, I guess in the end, I have my own version too. Though it's STILL closer sounding to the original than any version I have found on youtube yet (including THIS version, since it's in F) But now I have come full circle right back to where I am started and have to just figure out how I am going to do the "he jumped so high" part in this position. I was already making due by just starting it finger picking the C chord, walking notes down to Em then to Am and ending with D, which is wrong, and just stems from figuring it out through long term memory before actually listening, but I am STILL back to wanting a little more accuracy with those intricacies. I know the original version has a mandolin in there that kind of dominates the track a little, making it not only impossible to duplicate with just a guitar, but also hard to pick out the guitar part through the mandolin. Even if I have to adjust and throw in some extra notes on the guitar to compensate for no mandolin, I still want my version of playing this in G with no Capo. Maybe I will come back to this comment when I have a version that satisfies me. This song just feels too good to play it in G with no capo not to fill in the rest of the blanks. Probably one of my first favorite songs, dating back to when I was 7 or 8 listening to it on my mom's record player, 1982ish. Well, back to the guitar..,.

[@sethother8012]

So what I am finding seems to work is starting the measure with a C chord, picking the C note on the A string for two beats, then one beat on the B note, then walk up to C #, then D on the same string before picking E, D, E on the D string, then into an A-Chord (Not A-minor that sounded good before but is wrong) then ending with finger picking the D chord. Anyways, I guess these comments are only useful for anyone who want to sound more like the original in G but without a Capo. I'm sure plenty of people are satisfied just playing it in F with Capo as this video demonstrates

[@BlessYourThoughts]

Les and Johnny were in Huntington Beach a couple years ago. John telling the story of a Catholic girls school in New York... A great story, all I can say is go find them, nobody can tell the story like John! What a hoot!

[@hindubodhkongpala]

Yeah, Jimmie. '69 you started. But admit Truth that in '67 you learned everything you ever knew about life on a surfing trip, from Wayne K and his white starched shirt on a hangar with the surfboards on top of the car. When there ain't any waves, you got to make waves. Anyway: make them guitar strings ring out in the air.

[@michaelmackenzie2569]

Love it. Thanks for posting

[@jimshepard8822]

Jackson Brown, was an original member of dirt band, they went to same high school.

[@joconnor59]

Excellent 5 🌟👍☘

[@ousley421]

That is HARD to play with 2 fingers, a most beautiful song

[@rogerledoux4741]

Great stories and its one of my favorite songs. Guess I am dating myself.

[@dougmisantoni4384]

Loves me some Ibby lore...Bravo

[@keithwatling7362]

good video. thanks for sharing

[@richardsleep2045]

Perfect, thanks Jimmy:)

[@pckngrn]

I still like NGDB, but I sure miss Ibby and McEuen being there.

[@kenhurley4441]

WOW!

[@bebe-bon9033]

Great story - Is it possible he was slightly loaded ??

[@jboreal7982]

Jimmy Ibbotson is 100% legit. He is an enormous talent. And yes, he is a nice guy. When I was a kid I wrote him a fan letter around the PB&F release. That was a big album and I'm sure they were touring like mad at the time but somehow my letter found him - he wrote back. I still have that letter.

[@RC0307]

That’s awesome!!! 💌

[@basspro120]

Thanks!

[@michaelalbro6856]

About didn’t recognize Jimmy with a beard and glasses. Nothing against Jeff but I like the way Jimmy sings it better.

[@philroe2363]

I like everything Jimmy ever sang. His voice . . . just amazing.

[@robrichmond6171]

Same here but Jimmy got the voice of gold.....

[@rickster58]

Do I understand this correctly that this video is the one and only Jeff Hannah! That is so cool!

[@gwhitetrans]

It's Jimmy Ibbotson. Never seen Jeff with a beard anyway. But I know it's Ibby.

[@TodorKadic]

👋😊💯

[@TexasDoug393]

Lawrence Welk. Loved Long Hard Road and Dance Little Jean. Always thought Jimmy had a great voice.

[@clydehrichards]

yep

[@jimshepard8822]

Dirt band not the same without Ibbotson, but I still likem. Jimmys father was a preacher, as I recall Words of Bojangles. Create a visual like no other.

[@richardwingate6150]

I bet Mr Ibbotson would be pretty cool to hang out with

[@krejdloc]

Im really surprised he didnt mention Norman Blake at all.....I still have will the circle be unbroken.... no record player though.

[@joelanderson5287]

My name is Joel. I'm reaching out on behalf of my father Ted Anderson of the Kansas City L.A. music scene. Downtown ballroom, golden bear, troubadour era. At any rate you would like to reconnect with Jimmy.

[@robertlee8042]

Play it in c on the fifth fret if you have to.

[@iVideosongs]

Interesting tip, thank you

[@rydaug79]

Christian Bale could play this dude if they made a movie about TNGDB

[@iVideosongs]

lol

[@billwolfe7244]

Un-mistakeable voice of Ibbotson. He's right about Linda Ronstadt too!

[@frankdow472]

The dude is stoned ?

[@mikefleegel2707]

Dion Warwick &

[@edpetrik501]

/

[@oxycocus]

Its ok. The story is great but I'm from New Jersey, grew up in Beach Haven, we call a spade a spade. It's a great story. Just tell the real story.

[@iVideosongs]

One of us is from Wisconsin, where we call a "Say Wha'?" a "Say Wha'?". NJ didn't invent calling a spade a spade. But we did invent the Harley. NGDB is cool like a Harley. And we have no idea what your point is. But anyway...on to the next channel for the gentleman from NJ. - The Management

[@eddycollins838]

Jeff, Enlighten us?

[@jysmtl]

iVideosongs FREE Online Music Lessons Haha. Midwest boy puts Jersey boy in his place 👍